WATCH: GOP lawmakers divided on Trump's transgender military ban

"What he's interjecting is turning democracy upside down". "So some of (Trump's) objections are based on concerns or exaggerations that aren't borne out". Ben Sasse, R-Neb., who rebuked the president from the Senate floor Thursday. "The presidency isn't a bull, and this country isn't a china shop".

"I know there are questions about yesterday's announcement on the transgender policy by the President, there will be no modifications to the current policy until the President's direction has been received by the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary has issued implementation guidance". The Joint Chiefs of Staff weren't consulted; in a memo first reported by Reuters, Chairman Gen. Joe Dunford said the military has made no changes as a result of the declared ban. The men and women of the U.S. military deserve the full support of the American people. The bill had passed the House earlier this week on a 419-3 vote.

TERESA SPARKS: Is he going to cut off my benefits because I was a veteran and served?

Despite the brushbacks, Republican lawmakers are continuing to act on key parts of Trump's legislative agenda. Those items, however, face major hurdles.

The US Justice Department on Wednesday urged the federal appeals court in Manhattan to reject a lawsuit by a former skydiving instructor who claimed he was fired for being gay.

The policy states that: "We encourage all Veterans to inform their health care team of sexual orientation, gender identity, and sexual activity so we can provide the most appropriate care..."

Trump said in his tweets that the military "cannot be burdened with the tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgender [sic] in the military would entail".

Okros also said he was unaware of any negative impacts that allowing transgender people to serve in uniform has caused on operations or the military's overall ability to do its job. Our reporter at the white house trying -.

Transgender medical treatment would amount to just 0.004 percent to 0.017 percent of annual Defense Department health care spending - a small price to pay for helping service members not just survive, but also thrive.

White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Mr Trump had made "a military decision". Lawmakers in September will have to confront a possible government shutdown and federal default. The cost of providing these services is relatively small and should not be used as a reason to deny coverage and access.

Other lawmakers, including Texan Reps. A subsequent tweet Tuesday accused Sessions of taking "a VERY weak position" on investigating Clinton and leakers of intelligence secrets.

There are no official figures for how many transgender people are in the Forces, but estimates put the number at about 200.

"I think the president has to keep in mind a couple of things", Sen.

Meanwhile, key lawmakers have voiced confidence in Mueller. And if it's a choice between putting service members' careers at risk and possibly subjecting his practically and morally unsound proposal to review and criticism, we're afraid we're pretty sure which path he'll take.